Tremendous Entries Received For Totesport.Com Derby Trial

A total of 18 entries has been received for the #60,000 totesport.com Derby Trial at Lingfield Park on Saturday, May 13.

The extended 11-furlong Group Three contest, first run in 1932, is recognised as one of the leading trials for the Derby, with the likes of Teenoso (1983), Slip Anchor (1985), Kahyasi (1988) and High-Rise (1998) all scoring at Lingfield before achieving glory in the Epsom Classic the following month.

Walk In The Park, who finished second to Kong in last year´s renewal, went on to fill the same position behind Motivator in the Derby, while Daliapour also ran second in both contests in 1999.

Other winners at Lingfield to have run placed in racing´s Blue Riband include Silver Patriarch, who went down by a short-head to Benny The Dip in 1997, Cacoethes, third to Nashwan in 1989, Mashkour, who filled the same position in 1986 behind Shahrastani, and Shearwalk, who followed home Teenoso in the Derby Trial in 1983 and ran third to the same opponent at Epsom the following month.

Epsom trainer Terry Mills sent out Let Me Try Again to finish second to Franklins Gardens in the 2003 totesport.com Derby Trial, later a gallant seventh in the Derby to Kris Kin, and the stable is aiming to go one better at Lingfield this year with the progressive Before You Go.

The three-year-old Sadler´s Wells colt landed the 10-furlong Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom last month by a length and a quarter from Hanoona, following outings on the Polytrack at Lingfield which yielded two wins and a second from three starts, and connections are hopeful of a bold showing on Saturday.

Richard Ryan, assistant trainer to Terry Mills, said today: 'Before You Go has come on a lot since his last run at Epsom, where he handled the track well, and he still seems to be improving.

'It was a good performance as it was only his second race ever on turf - he got left in the stalls on his debut at Newmarket as a two-year-old which was a complete non-event.

'We hope he will relish the extra distance at Lingfield. He´s by Sadler´s Wells so he´ll probably be seen at his best on an easier surface.'

All The Way´s fifth behind Oath in the 1999 Derby is the best that the Mills stable has done in four previous attempts at the Classic, although Ryan is unsure how Before You Go would compare to those that have gone before him.

'We wouldn´t know if he has a better chance than our previous runners in the Derby - they were different horses in different years against different classes of fields.

'He has a chance in the Derby but he has to keep improving. We are very happy with him and Ian Mongan, who was on board last time, again rides.'

The other totesport.com Derby Trial entries include Andre Fabre´s Linda´s Lad, who landed the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in November, William Haggas´ Primary, who took the Group Three Betfred Classic Trial at Sandown last month, plus the Mick Channon-trained pair Hazeymm and Youmzain, while Aidan O´Brien has four entered - Septimus, Altius, Dylan Thomas and Mountain.

The ground at Lingfield is currently good following 15 millimetres of recent rain. Further showers are forecast for Thursday, though the ground is expected to remain good for Saturday.

Lingfield Park is delighted to welcome the tote as the new sponsor of the important Derby and Oaks trials that day, plus two other valuable races.

Racing at Lingfield Park is the closest any Derby horse will experience to Epsom - particularly the left-hand downhill bend into the straight.

Tote Chairman Peter Jones said: 'Being the biggest sponsors of racing, the tote is linked with many major races and therefore it is a great pleasure to become involved for the first time with the prestigious Derby and Oaks trials at Lingfield Park.

'The record over the years of horses going on to win at Epsom is quite good, and it would be terrific if our association with the races leads to an even better record!'

In addition to the totesport.com Derby Trial, the tote is supporting the Listed totescoop6 Oaks Trial (3.10pm), worth #50,000, which has attracted 28 entries, the #60,000 totesport 0800 221221 Heritage Handicap, with 22 entries, and the Group Three #50,000 totepool Chartwell Fillies Stakes, with 12 entries including one from France and three from Ireland.

Prize money on the day is a grand total of #241,000, Lingfield Park´s richest raceday.

Mark Jones, Managing Director at Lingfield Park, commented: 'I am delighted to welcome the tote as new sponsors of these high status races at Lingfield Park.

'The course is in great condition. I am very pleased with the pre-raceday sales and, providing we get some good weather, I am confident we will attract a very good crowd.

'It is Lingfield Park´s most prestigious day of the year and, despite the course holding nearly 100 meetings a year including Polytrack, jumping and turf Flat, the Derby Trials fixture always creates that special sense of excitement, and is hugely popular with everyone.'